The official blog of "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story", an inspiring feature length documentary that shows the real life and struggles of Bill Sackter, who overcame a lifetime of institutionalization to become a great leader for people with disabilities and a friend to many.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Exciting News About The Newly Remastered Bill Sackter DVD

Hi Everyone,

While the main purpose of this Kickstarter campaign is to get “A Friend Indeed” on PBS stations around the country, I also have some great news about the Newly Remastered Deluxe Edition DVD of “A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story” that will be made possible if we reach the funding goal by this Sunday at 10 p.m.

DELUXE EDITION DVD WILL INCLUDE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE RIGHTS

This new version of the DVD will include Public Performance Rights, so if you pledge $35 or more you will be the first to receive the new DVD, and not only will you be able to enjoy "A Friend Indeed" at home, but you can also choose to host your own free public screening events or use the documentary in a classroom setting! I've decided to eliminated the previous "Home Use Only" restriction to allow individuals, organizations, and teachers the ability to share the DVD and all of the extras with audiences of any size (as long as your events are for free admission).

NOW IN PURE WIDESCREEN

Originally the DVD was in a “letterboxed” version, but with the proliferation of widescreen TVs and computer monitors, I felt that this would be a good time to change it to a pure widescreen version that will properly fit our most common viewing devices. Now you won’t have to “scale” the picture to eliminate the black bars on top and bottom. It will just work and look great!

OVER TWO HOURS OF EXTRAS

There are over two hours of extras on the Deluxe Edition DVD, from scenes that were cut from the documentary to short vignettes about a variety of topics that will greatly enhance your viewing experience.

Here’s a listing of what is included on the Deluxe Edition DVD:

The Full Award-Winning 90 minute Theatrical Version of "A Friend Indeed"

An Insightful Director’s Commentary Track

Lots of Additional Footage of Bill & Friends

New Interviews, Deleted Scenes, & Audio recordings

The World Premiere Event at Hancher Auditorium

Behind the Scenes Orchestra Recording in Seattle

Theatrical Trailer, Biographical Information ...and more

YOUR NAME WILL BE ON THE DVD

If you pledge $35 or more (even if you select “No Reward”), your name will appear in a special Kickstarter “Thank You” section in the extras on the DVD, so you can show others that you were part of the effort to greatly expand the audience for “A Friend Indeed”.

SIGNED BY THE FILMMAKER

I will be signing your individual copy of the DVD. I am very thankful for your willingness to make a pledge to help spread the inspirational story of Bill Sackter to many appreciative viewers around the country!

About Me

I graduated from Film School at the University of Iowa in 1990, then spent four years learning the craft of professional production in Los Angeles. I then returned to my hometown of Iowa City in 1995 to form Xap Interactive Inc., to create original, inspired productions including feature length documentaries & films, as well as other all digital productions. My three most important productions to date are: "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story", "XapVision Nature Scenes" and "The Nazi Drawings Documentary". I am now working full-time as a medical videographer in St. Louis while continuing to search for distribution avenues for these three productions.